If you find yourself in need of a pit stop while driving around South Luzon, particularly in the Bicol region, I’d highly recommend you look for the nearest branch of Biggs.
Biggs is a fast-casual chain established in the Bicol region in 1983. Rather than dishing out soulless fast food, this restaurant takes the time to prepare quality meals that make it worth dining in. It’s been serving good food and making memories for Bicolanos for more than 40 years!
I may be biased since I grew up in Naga City, and Biggs was the fast food of my childhood. But the food here is something I often crave while living in Manila. We didn’t have McDonald’s and Jollibee growing up in my hometown, so this was my first taste of burgers. It’s the one restaurant I have to visit whenever I’m back home.
On a recent road trip from Naga to Legazpi and back with folks, we made it a point to pass by one of BIGG’s newest branches along the highway in Pili, the capital town of Camarines Sur.
This is the regional chain’s first-ever stand-alone branch and one of its biggest branches to date. Opened in 2022, Biggs’s Pili is right next to a gas station and has a spacious parking area to accommodate cars, making it one of the ideal lunch stops between Naga and Legazpi.
This Biggs Pili branch (as well as select branches) remains open 24/7, so it’s a great option for motorists who arrive at odd hours or have to drive out early but still want a decent place to enjoy good grub.
A little backstory: Biggs had humble beginnings. The brand, established by three housewives, started as a simple takeout counter in Naga City, specializing in burgers and fries for locals looking for quality but affordable takeout food. Bus passengers arriving from Manila would usually have breakfast of goto in their first hole-in-the-wall branch in Naga’s centro. Over the years, the brand expanded to include a dining area and diversified menu offerings to include casual dining, Filipino, and American cuisine.
Today, Biggs has over 20 branches all over South Luzon and Calabarzon, and has become a go-to spot for comfort food like burgers, fried chicken, ribs, sizzlers and regional dishes.
There was a time when the Biggs ambience was reminiscent of American retro diners, with an overload of pop-culture memorabilia and neon lights as the main decor. These days, most branches sport a fresher, more streamlined retro vibe, with just a few vintage accent walls referencing their history.
The facade of the Pili branch look modern and eye-catching, shrouded with greenery, while the interiors feel bright, spacious, and airy. Inside, I spotted minimalist posters showing the restaurant’s name changes and logos through the years, starting with Mang Donald’s and Carl’s Diner in the early years, before they settled on the Bigg’s Diner brand in 1995.
True to its name, Biggs offers big servings of quality food and friendly service, plus some regional specialties to rival international or national fast-food competitors.
My go-to rice order ever since I was a kid has always been Pork Cordon Bleu (served with rice, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and creamy butter sauce), which still tastes the same after all these years.
Other family favorites include Tenderloin Tips, Fried Chicken, and Korean Spare Ribs. If you want something distinctly local, you can try the Bicol Special, which is pork chop served with rice and laing.
For lighter snacks, you can’t go wrong with the Cheesy Burger, Classic Burger, or Extreme Platter, though there’s also a fully loaded Tower Burger for those who are extra hungry. The menu also has a few Healthy Meal options like salads and goto.
A new addition to Biggs is the coffee section available in some branches, with quality coffee to go. Look out for the ‘Baby Spice’ coffee with a kick of chili, and the merch for sale.
What’s great about this local chain for motorists is you’re sure to find a branch in key locations around Bicol, from malls and supermarkets to standalone branches in high-traffic locations.
Aside from the branch in Pili, another brand-new two-story branch in Camalig with a view of Mayon Volcano recently opened along the national highway and the new Camalig bypass road. There’s also a Biggs branch at the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay, for those flying in and out of the region.
After stopping by the viral 7-Eleven with volcano views and driving around the foothills of Mayon Volcano, be sure to include Bigg’s in your road trip itinerary in South Luzon.
Sure, you may see other familiar-looking fast food joints around, but it’s always better to support regional and local restaurants, especially in the destinations where they originated, right?
Biggs, National Highway, Brgy. San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. Open 24/7.
